Have you ever discovered a hidden gem in your city thanks to someone sharing their honest experience online? Same. That’s the kind of spark these Northwest content creators bring—showing up with heartfelt authenticity, real talk, and tips that never fail to leave you cooler, wiser, and way more inspired than before you hit “follow.” In the Inland Northwest, the best content creators are becoming the new trusted guides—offering real recommendations, highlighting local businesses, and building a vibrant sense of place through their lens.
How Content Creators Are Chosen
With every local business feature, recipe drop, or reel that goes viral, they’re making an impact you can see right here where we live. They are community-driven creators who use their skills in photography, storytelling, and video to make authentic connections with their followers. These phenomenal digital storytellers are redefining how we explore and experience our own backyards, and sharing practical advice that we can use no matter where we live!
Another reason these Inland Northwest creators stand out? Every paid or trade collaboration is clearly disclosed. It is legally required to share if what they are reviewing is a gifted product, a sponsored reel, or a brand partnership, so their audience always knows when content is promotional. That level of transparency builds real trust. Unlike creators who blur the lines or skip disclosures altogether, our local creators value honesty over hype. It’s not just about complying with FTC guidelines (though they do); it’s about treating their followers with respect. And in a world flooded with ad fatigue, that kind of integrity is rare and refreshing.
Why We Care
I founded Trending Northwest because I saw a need for digital media that actually reflects the people and places here – work that respects nuance, creativity, and connection over trends and algorithms. I’ve spent the last few years building something a little different—a media platform that centers authentic storytelling and celebrates the best of life in the Inland Northwest. The content is hyperlocal, intentional, and powered by a team of contributors, creators, and collaborators who care deeply about where we live.
Through Trending Spokane and Trending CDA, we’ve expanded that mission by licensing the Trending Media brand so that other local creators can create content right where they live and work, too, with a uniquely personal touch and the same consistency and quality that our followers have come to expect. We offer coaching, structure, media kits, and an ongoing support system to ensure creators get paid for their work and can tell the stories they care about. We’re growing our grassroots network of digital creators who are rooted in their community but thinking bigger!
In this roundup, we’re honoring Inland Northwest content creators who are showing up consistently with meaningful, authentic content. These are the people building community, pushing creative boundaries, and making our feeds (and neighborhoods) a little more inspiring. Give them a follow, and maybe a thank-you next time you try that coffee spot they recommended!
Our Lens
Erin Peterson – Trending Northwest
@trending.northwest
Erin Peterson is the founder and visionary behind Trending Northwest, a digital media platform built on storytelling, collaboration, and community. With a background in education and a passion for amplifying local voices, Erin has grown Trending into a trusted regional brand that reaches thousands across the Inland Northwest. Her mission is simple: to redefine what local media can look like. She empowers creators, uplifts small businesses, and inspires readers to live more connected, creative lives. Erin continues to lead the charge in building an inclusive, intentional media network that’s rooted right here at home.
Jordy Jones – Trending Spokane
@trendingspokane
Your local Spokane reporter, Jordy Jones, brings stories to life with her signature warmth and creative flair. With a background in communications and public relations, Jordy knows how to tell a story that connects, and she’s made it her mission to showcase the people and places that make Spokane shine. As the creative mind behind Trending Spokane, Jordy is known for her sharp eye for design, heartfelt storytelling, and ability to capture the city’s charm in every post. She’s passionate about helping local businesses and makers thrive, and it shows in every collaboration, spotlight, and behind-the-scenes feature she shares.
Lily Barnes – Trending CDA
@trendingcda
The creative voice behind Trending CDA, Lily Barnes is on a mission to capture the beauty, energy, and spirit of Coeur d’Alene — one story at a time. With a background in English studies and a deep-rooted passion for community and connection, Lily brings both heart and craft to her storytelling. Her content blends lifestyle, local discovery, and creative storytelling, spotlighting the small businesses, makers, and experiences that give Coeur d’Alene its unique heart. Lily’s approachable, genuine tone has made her a trusted guide for locals and visitors alike, helping her audience discover what makes CDA such a special place to live, work, and play.
Best TikTok – Nahiely Heredia
@nahiely.alexandra
Nahiely is a force of positivity and kindness, and we are some of her biggest fans. She is a mother, full-time corporate queen, and our area’s premier beauty and fashion influencer providing outfit inspiration for sizes 16–18 and a beautiful example of self-love for followers of all sizes. Her content is honest, warm, and empowering, showing us how personal style is less about trends and more about loving who you are right now.
She’s the perfect person to follow if you’re looking for the latest in casual fashion styled to perfection, curated beauty finds that are tested personally, and she happens to be a smart shopper with gorgeous thrifted finds, too! She proves that fashion and beauty can be accessible without stressing you out, and we’re here for it.
Best Advocate – Shannon Miller
@shannon_shortcake
Shannon has a heart of gold, and it shows in her deeply vulnerable and beautifully crafted content. She shares personal stories with her 50K+ followers and her recent concert adventures have been everything we’ve ever dreamed of. Her content is relatable in powerful ways, and she doesn’t hesitate to share about the bad days as well as the good. We all know how challenging it can be out there on social media to find people you can relate to in real life, but she masters the balance and makes it feel like a window into her life in all the best ways.
Shannon puts together quirky, on-trend looks with absolute ease, and makes everyone feel comfortable in their own skin. The comments section is the place to be, where she personally connects with people from all around the globe. She frequently showcases local spots in her feed, and collaborates with top beauty brands, as well as selling her fashion finds (that she is willing to part with) at River Park Square’s Small Business Shoppe, keeping it eco-friendly.
Best YouTube – Tori Thurman
@thecraftygrrl
Tori’s TikTok is a personality-filled rebellion against overproduction and perfectionism. It is full of simple, joyful projects that make you want to grab a glue gun, thrift a few treasures, and create something beautiful simply because it feels good to do so. She has built a community around creativity that welcomes curiosity over credentials, where the process matters just as much as the finished piece, if not more. There is an ease to her videos that feels approachable with a bold aesthetic, and always infused with personality. It makes crafting feel less like a performance and more like a sweet, handwritten invitation.
She blends Pacific Northwest charm with a wink of retro flair, and shows off a little handmade, a little nostalgic, and refreshingly unbothered by trends that take themselves too seriously. Her energy is warm and encouraging, the kind that makes you believe you could absolutely pull this off, even if your last DIY attempt ended in hot glue strings and mild regret. Whether she is upcycling overlooked finds, decorating for the seasons, or offering clever craft room tips, The Crafty Grrl reminds us that making things by hand is still one of the purest forms of self expression, and that joy, like creativity, multiplies when it is shared.
To join one of her more than 44k followers on YouTube, click here to get connected.
Best Wellness Authority – Abby Palacios
@chicanaesthetics
Abby Palacios is Spokane’s skincare and wellness it girl, effortlessly blending luxury, expertise, and authenticity. Originally from Los Angeles, Abby moved to the Inland Northwest more than five years ago and quickly became one of the area’s most sought-after estheticians. Her four-time award-winning skincare studio has built a reputation for results-driven treatments that leave clients glowing, inside and out, and it’s so much more than just a facial. She effortlessly blends pep talks and curated care to everyone in her studio.
Specializing in custom Korean facials and Korean scalp treatments, Abby combines the precision of science with the art of relaxation. Her content strikes that rare balance of education and aesthetic inspiration, layered with a behind-the-scenes beauty insider perspective that feels informative without ever being intimidating. From product recommendations to transformation videos, everything she shares feels luxe yet approachable, like getting trusted advice from your most radiant friend. She’s the perfect person to follow if you want expert skincare tips, product recs that actually work, and that dose of aspirational yet relatable energy that makes you want to book a facial immediately (and whatever else she’s up to!).
Best Arts Advocate – Gwyn Pevonka
@gwynpevonka
Gwyn Pevonka is a creative force who lives and breathes art, the kind of person whose presence alone seems to spark ideas. As the founder of 33 Artists Market, she has built more than an event. She has created a thriving, welcoming community where local artists are seen, supported, and celebrated. Her work centers connection, making space for creativity to flourish while bringing people together in meaningful ways. She is the perfect person to follow if you love discovering local talent, meaningful art events, and the stories that live just beneath the surface of every piece. Gwyn reminds us that art is not just something you look at. It is something you feel, something that connects us, and something that grows stronger when community comes together.
Her feed is a vibrant reflection of Spokane’s artistic pulse, filled with color, texture, and moments that feel both intentional and alive. She shares the beauty of local makers, the energy of art-filled gatherings, and the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to turn creative vision into something tangible. There is honesty in what she posts, an appreciation for process as much as outcome, and a deep respect for the artists she uplifts.
Best Entrepreneur – Ashley Cone
@electricphotoland
Electric Photoland is pure creative magic, led by a powerhouse behind the lens who pairs serious entrepreneurial talent with an equally big heart. In 2025, Electric Photoland was named Best Small Business of the Year by the Spokane Journal of Business, and it’s easy to see why. Her work blends art, attitude, and authenticity in a way that feels both intentional and effortlessly cool. From weddings to parties to unforgettable events, her classic photo booth rentals bring a perfectly timed vintage vibe that feels nostalgic without ever feeling dated. It is the kind of imagery that makes people linger, laugh, and feel fully present, which is exactly why booking her has become something of a local rite of passage.
What truly sets Electric Photoland apart is a deep commitment to giving back. She pours her energy into the community, uplifting local artists, supporting nonprofits, and championing creative causes that make Spokane shine brighter. The work she does connects countless individuals to what really matters in our community. Talented, innovative, and unapologetically herself, she is a force of nature in the local creative scene. When you think about who is shaping the Inland Northwest’s visual identity right now, Electric Photoland belongs at the very top of the list.
Best Connector – Mercedes Leahy
@sheisvested
Mercedes is a master of building dreamy moments that will help you find your dream community as a business owner. She is a new mother and highly professional small business owner that knows everyone that has an it-girl cool in town. She offers events that are free (we love an accessible networking event), low-cost individual tickets, and memberships to get a whole lot of networking bang for your tax-write-off dollar, too.
The best part is that she doesn’t gate-keep – she shares time with hundreds of women every year in impactful events that are meticulously planned to set the vibe. Her recent Vested Garden Party was hosted at the ultra-stunning Barn & Blossom Garden and Event Center, and holy smokes was thoughtful. I was greeted with a branded nametag on linen paper, a glass of champagne, and an invitation to make a flower crown. Then we enjoyed some light nibbles at a massive community table bedecked in candles and filled with flowers from real plants grown right at the nursery. Get your ticket to her next event before someone else does!
Best Local Foodie – Casey Lawrence
@coolauntcasey
Cool Aunt Casey makes every meal an adventure, and every post feels like getting a restaurant recommendation from your funniest, most in-the-know friend. With infectious energy and a genuine love for the local food scene, Casey is quietly redefining what it means to be a food influencer. Her content feels personal and confident, the kind that makes you trust her instincts before you even see the plate arrive.
She is the creator who tells you exactly what to order, where to sit, and why that under-the-radar spot deserves a line out the door. Her feed moves easily from cozy neighborhood cafés and pop-up events to buzzy new openings and thoughtful chef spotlights. What sets Casey apart is her authenticity. She is not chasing trends. She is celebrating flavor, people, and places, and reminding us that the Inland Northwest is a true foodie destination, one great meal at a time.
Best Hyperlocal Storyteller – Kasey Cloaninger
@OffOf29th
Focusing her content on Spokane’s beautiful South Hill neighborhood, Kasey knows how to show her followers the latest hotspots with charm and heart. With every thoughtfully crafted post, she celebrates the vibrant, unique businesses tucked into this vibrant part of town, from cozy cafés to new boutique openings and community events. Through her consistent support of small business owners and love for her neighborhood, she’s turned into a trusted local guide and a source of connection for South Hill and Spokane Residents.
With the launch of her new website, Off29th is taking that hyperlocal magic even further to create a dedicated home for South Hill stories, small business spotlights, and neighborhood finds that don’t always make it into the algorithm. The site deepens her role as a community connector, giving Spokane locals an easy, beautifully curated way to discover where to eat, shop, stroll, and gather on the South Hill.
Beyond Likes and Shares: How They Make an Impact
These creators did not build their platforms overnight or by chasing trends. They earned trust by showing up consistently, telling honest stories, and establishing real credibility in their corners of the Northwest. Their audiences do not just follow. They engage, listen, and feel genuinely connected.
What sets these creators apart is depth and intention. They are not here to simply sell products. They are shaping culture, uplifting community, and using their platforms with purpose. If this list introduced you to someone new or reminded you why a longtime favorite matters, then it has done exactly what it set out to do.